New Orleans, LA – The dynamic duo of Freshman Ahnia Cherry and Sophomore Mariah Brooks picked up additional season laurels Friday earning All-Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Both student-athletes were honored in the 100-and-200 meter sprints. The duo, along with head coach Bill Dunn, and assistant Chris Belcher, are currently in Rochester, NY, preparing for the NCAA DIII Track and Field Outdoor Championships, which start Friday. For Brooks, this honor follows up on a Freshman season which saw her earn All-American honors in the 100 meters as well as the NC Wesleyan Female Athlete of the Year.
The pair earned the honors by finishing within the top five times for each event for the South Region. In fact, the All-Region honor for outdoor follows an All-American honor for both in the most recent indoor season 60-meter competition. Currently, the pair is ranked second and third in the South Region in the 100-meter dash with both enjoying sub 12 second times (Cherry 11.76, Brooks 11.99). In addition, Cherry ranks 8th nationally in the 100-meter for the 2023 season. In the 200-meter competition the two are also second and third with Brooks (24.40) just ahead of Cherry (24.50). Brooks comes in at 11th nationally heading into the NCAA Championships.
Cherry lead the way at the USA South Conference meet medaling in five events with three golds (100, 200, 4X100) and two silvers (Long Jump, 4X400). Brooks also medaled in five competitions with gold in the 4X100 relay, silver in the 100, 200 and 4X400 relay, as well as a third-place finish in the 400 meters.
Follow Friday's preliminary rounds here: https://live.deltatiming.com/meets/15661/scoreboard.